4.0
STRATEGIES

STRATEGY #8
PLAN FOR UNIVERSAL ACCESS

Currently, people in the GTHA with disabilities have limited mobility options. Although
progress is being made, there are still too many conventional transit vehicles on the road with
steps that people with some disabilities are unable to climb, and bus stops and stations
that are not accessible to people in wheelchairs. For trips that cannot be
accommodated on conventional transit, people with disabilities can apply to use one of several
specialized transit providers in the GTHA, each of which has a geographically distinct service
area. These services do not generally accommodate cross-boundary trips. Such trips
typically involve transferring from one service provider to another, sometimes with substantial
waits in between.

FACT: ACCESSIBILITY
The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), adopted by the
Government of Ontario in 2005, will improve accessibility for Ontarians with
disabilities by developing, implementing and enforcing accessibility standards.
The process will be complete by January 1, 2025. By then, people with disabilities
should be able to move from place to place within Ontario, for whatever purpose,
without facing barriers that people without disabilities do not face.

Metrolinx is committed to making
the GTHA’s transportation systems
fully accessible to people with
disabilities by 2025, as required by
the Accessibility for Ontarians with
Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA).
Metrolinx is also committed to
improving access for people with
other special needs — newcomers
whose first language is not English
and seniors, for example. Planning
for universal access is a
fundamentally important part of
the RTP.